Culture

Here’s All The Best Quotes From President Obama’s Sad, Stirring Farewell Speech

"Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear."

by Meg Watson  11 January 2017

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President Obama has just delivered his farewell speech to the US and millions all over the world are reeling in many, many feelings.

Speaking to a crowd of thousands in his hometown of Chicago, Obama delivered a calm yet determined overview of his past eight years in office and laid out a blueprint for the years to come. In short: he’s “optimistic”… But he also said it in the way your HSC teacher might before final exams — not entirely convincingly.

The speech was wide-ranging in its subject matter but drew a strong response when touching on race relations, bigotry, the importance of reason, and the strength of young people. He quoted Atticus Finch and George Washington and drew attention to the continued effects of Jim Crow.

Though maintaining that the US has vastly improved during his time in office, the picture he painted was of a nation violently divided and a broader world that only exacerbates such problems. The President-elect was only referred to by name once, but his presence was certainly felt throughout.

If you’ve got some time (or even if you don’t), I recommend watching the whole thing. But either way, it’s worth spotlighting some of his thoughts throughout. They’ll certainly be missed in the years to come.

On A “Post-Racial” America

After my election, there was talk of a post-racial America. Such a vision, however well-intended, was never realistic. For race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society. I’ve lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were ten, or twenty, or thirty years ago — you can see it not just in statistics, but in the attitudes of young Americans across the political spectrum.

But we’re not where we need to be. All of us have more work to do. After all, if every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and undeserving minorities, then workers of all shades will be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves.

On Supporting Diversity

If we decline to invest in the children of immigrants, just because they don’t look like us, we diminish the prospects of our own children — because those brown kids will represent a larger share of America’s workforce. And our economy doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. Last year, incomes rose for all races, all age groups, for men and for women.

On Overcoming Discrimination

For white americans, [this] means acknowledging the effects of Jim Crow didn’t suddenly vanish in the ’60s; that when minority groups voice discontent, they’re not just engaging in reverse racism or practicing political correctness,; that when they wage peaceful protest, they’re not demanding special treatment, but the equal treatment our founders promised.

On Engaging With People

None of this is easy. For too many of us, it’s become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighbourhoods or college campuses or places of worship or our social media feeds — surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions.

The rise of naked partisanship, increasing economic and regional stratification, the splintering of our media into a channel for every taste — all this makes this great sorting seem natural, even inevitable. And increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we accept only information, whether true of not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that’s out there.

On Belief In Fact And Science

Without some common baseline of facts; without a willingness to admit new information, and concede that your opponent is making a fair point, and that science and reason matter, we’ll keep talking past each other.

On Climate Change

We can and should argue about the best approach to solve the problem, but to simply deny the problem not only betrays future generations, it betrays the spirit of this country — the spirit of ingenuity and innovation that guided our founders.

On Trump

In ten days, the world will witness a hallmark of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power from one freely-elected president to the next. I committed to President-elect Trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for me. Because it’s up to all of us to make sure our government can help us meet the many challenges we still face.

On Civic Responsibility

Protecting our way of life requires more than our military. Democracy can buckle when we give in to fear. So just as we, as citizens, must remain vigilant against external aggression, we must guard against a weakening of the values that make us who we are.

That’s why I reject discrimination against Muslim Americans. That’s why we cannot withdraw from global fights — to expand democracy, and human rights, women’s rights, and LGBT rights — no matter how imperfect our efforts, no matter how expedient ignoring such values may seem. For the fight against extremism and intolerance and sectarianism are of a piece with the fight against authoritarianism and nationalist aggression.

On Rebuilding

Our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted. All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions. When voting rates are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should make it easier, not harder, to vote. When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes.

On Grassroots Action

If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try talking with one of them in real life. If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do something. If you’re disappointed in our elected officials, get a clipboard, get some signatures and run for office yourself.

On Young People

I leave this stage tonight even more optimistic about this country than I was when we started. Because I know our work has not only helped so many Americans; it has inspired so many Americans — especially so many young people out there — to believe you can make a difference; to hitch your wagon to something bigger than yourselves.

This generation coming up — unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic — I’ve seen you in every corner of the country. You believe in a fair, just, inclusive America; you know that constant change has been America’s hallmark, something not to fear but to embrace, and you are willing to carry this hard work of democracy forward. You’ll soon outnumber any of us, and I believe as a result that the future is in good hands.

On Joe Biden

Look, this one is not as important or inspiring, but it needs to be included because I want you to see Biden’s extremely Biden response.

To Joe Biden… the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware’s favourite son. You were the first decision I made as a nominee, and it was the best.

Buckle in, mates. Things are going to be awful different from here on out.